Freedom. A word that carries so much meaning: dignity, deliverance, safety, salvation. When asked to write about freedom in light of our country’s Independence Day I cannot help but think about those who make that word a reality.
You see, my sister’s brand new husband is currently in Afghanistan, serving faithfully to protect the freedoms we celebrate this week. He is a Marine. He left weeks after his wedding to my baby sister. Through tear-flooded conversations with Shelby, and via snapshots of skype calls, and grainy-brown photographs taken of a sweet young man standing by a tank thousands of miles away, I am witnessing the sacrifice both Matt and Shelby, and thousands of other men and women, spouses and children, parents and loved ones are making to protect the freedoms that were given so long ago when their predecessors first fought and sacrificed…
But while we will always have to fight to protect our physical freedom, our spiritual freedom has been forever paid for by the blood and sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. Freedom. In Christ.
In Paul’s Letter to the Galatians he says, “So through God you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then an heir.” Galatians 4:7 “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5.1
But there is more. Just as our physical freedom comes at a cost: Matt and thousands others are fighting and have fought to protect it; our spiritual freedom comes at a cost as well. “For you were called to freedom brethren; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another.” Galatians 5:13.
Freedom through Christ yields servitude through love. And that is what God has called us to do; wherever he has us. For me, it is in devoted service through Sweet Sleep. For Matt, it is through selfless bravery in his Marines deployment. This holiday week I pray that we express our freedom and through love, be servants of one another.
Freely yours,
Madelene Metcalf
Trips Coordinator
But there is more. Just as our physical freedom comes at a cost: Matt and thousands others are fighting and have fought to protect it; our spiritual freedom comes at a cost as well. “For you were called to freedom brethren; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another.” Galatians 5:13.
Freedom through Christ yields servitude through love. And that is what God has called us to do; wherever he has us. For me, it is in devoted service through Sweet Sleep. For Matt, it is through selfless bravery in his Marines deployment. This holiday week I pray that we express our freedom and through love, be servants of one another.
Freely yours,
Madelene Metcalf
Trips Coordinator
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